Catholic Relief Services was invited to Haiti in 1954, and has since grown to become the largest country program in the agency, with 693 staff and more than 300 local partners. CRS Haiti implements programs seven departments, directly benefiting hundreds of thousands of Haitians without regard to religion or ethnicity. By working closely with local partners, including the Catholic Church and the Government of Haiti, CRS leverages a powerful network across the country that supports service delivery in both urban and rural areas. In fiscal year 2012, CRS Haiti is implementing 50 projects with an annual budget of $65 million. Current programming is focused in the sectors of agriculture, health, education, natural resource management, economic recovery and community resettlement. CRS Haiti also maintains a strong capacity for emergency response given high risk for multiple types of natural shocks.
CRS Haiti has a national office in Port au Prince and a large field office in Les Cayes. Smaller field offices include Port au Paix, Ouanaminthe, Gonaives, Jeremie and Miragoine. CRS is seeking a Field Office Director in Les Cayes, the office that ensures oversight over several multi-year development programs in the Sud and Grand Anse Departments.

The FOD will provide leadership, guidance and coordination to all programs and program support operations in the Les Cayes office. Working closely with the Head of Programs, the FOD will ensure that necessary staff and systems are in place to develop and implement quality programs with high levels of accountability both in terms of program activities and program support functions, including strengthening program support systems, as necessary. The FOD will develop and maintain excellent working relationships with key actors and represent the interests of CRS amongst key local and international stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Program Quality
Through support to the Head of Programming:
1. Ensure a high level of monitoring and support for all project activities.
2. Ensure quality program development through timely communication and planning in consultation with the DCR Programming, sectoral coordinators/advisors and regional Program Quality (PQ) staff.
3. Through regular monitoring and analysis, identify opportunities for program expansion and potential new partners for CRS in southern Haiti.
4. Liaise continuously with the Country Representative and Senior Management Team to be current on CRS positions on issues involving country program activities, and work closely with the managers and field staff to ensure a cohesive and common vision and effective implementation of program strategy.
5. Ensure access to appropriate project management tools to plan, review and track progress on project implementation, as well as the utilization of project resources.
6. Ensure strong communication/collaboration between PQ staff based Les Cayes, Port au Prince and other Field Offices with an overall aim of adherence to CRS PQ standards.
7. Ensure adherence to Regional proposal development and review processes.
8. Ensure that cross-cutting themes such as accountability, gender and capacity building are integrated program activities.
9. Promote the appropriate use of ICT4D, research, documentation and sharing of lessons learned/best practices.

Management Quality
1. Lead regular review of program and operational expenses – ensure timely resolution of budget deviation. Develop and track adherence to an approved field office operational budget.
2. Ensure that all CRS policies, rules and regulations, including those relating to administration, human resources, finance and security are followed by Les Cayes based staff
3. Facilitate timely assistance from Port au Prince to respond to any need to reinforce financial or other administration, fixed asset, or human resource management systems.
4. Ensure the regular flow of quality information for use in preparing payroll and calculating allocated expenses for facilities and vehicles.
5. Ensure, in collaboration with CRS Haiti’s finance department and Head of Programming Les Cayes, timely and effective budgeting, cash forecasting, advance liquidation, BMFs, and grant closure.
6. Ensure proper stewardship of all CRS resources, including adherence to agency and CP guidelines for the management of both fixed assets and mobile property
7. Ensure adherence to CRS Haiti HR policies and procedures, as well as the agency-wide performance managements system.

Security
1. Serve as the Field Office security officer and represent CRS in any coordination forums focused on security.
2. Support the updating and, as appropriate, the modification of existing/development of new security documentation and guidance – working in close coordination with the national level security officer.

Coordination and Representation
1. Ensure CRS’ regular and active participation in any Les Cayes based coordination forums.
2. Collaborate and maintain good relationships with government and non government agencies for effective program implementation and resource use, as well as general information-sharing.
3. Maintain strong communication links with all CP offices as means of promoting the best use of material and financial resources, as well existing staff experience across the country program.
4. Ensure systems are in place for the proper documentation of meetings and timely circulation of resulting information/outcomes.
5. Lead the coordination of visits of CRS, donor, partners, etc.
6. Support the timely provision of information on program interventions for sharing with existing/perspective donors, partners and relevant HQ departments – to ensure the maximum promotion of CRS and partner activities in the area served by the Les Cayes field office.
7. Build linkages with existing and potential funding and donor agencies and keep abreast of growth opportunities.
8. Act as the principal media contact for CRS Haiti operations; ensure message alignment and conformity with CRS Haiti Country Representative.

Partnerships
1. Act as primary point of contact for all CRS partners (Church, Caritas, Government, NGOs, etc.) in the Southern Peninsula
2. Maintain strategic partnership with Caritas and Church, conjointly strengtheninig institutional capacity and developing the longterm strategies for programs.
3. With the HoP, regularly assess CRS partnership portfolio in the South, ensuring consistent alignment with CRS goals and objectives
Supervisory Responsibilities:
All senior Les Cayes based staff, including Head of Programs, Senior Admin Manager, Deputy Finance Manager, Human Resource Officer, and Management Quality Coordinator.

Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Country Representative, DCR Operations, DCR Programming, MQ Coordinator, Finance Director, Procurement Manager, HR Manager, and Partnership Coordinator
External: Bishops of the Les Cayes, Jeremie, and Nippes Dioceses, Caritas Directors, DCCH Director, local church partners, local collaborating organizations, International Organizations, UN Agencies/MINUSTAH, local government agencies, private and public service providers.

Emergency Competencies:
Each CRS staff member working in emergencies is expected to use the following competencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Communicates strategically under pressure
• Manages stress and complexity
• Actively promotes safety and security
• Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs

1. Master’s degree in international development, non-profit management or related fields or equivalent experience
2. Five to seven years of field-based experience managing staff and programs, particularly in complex emergencies
3. Comprehensive knowledge of CRS management and program principles.
4. Working knowledge of Church and Caritas’ structures; field-based experience working with local and northern Caritas organizations
5. Demonstrated qualities of leadership, sensitivity to cultural setting, communication skills, commitment and good judgment.
6. Effective planning and Organization Skills
7. Demonstrated skills in short and long term planning and program management
8. Experience in dealing with donors
9. Proficiency in French and/or Creole strongly preferred.
10. Strong writing skills

Interested candidates should send their curriculum vitae with a cover letter, and copy of certificates with the title of the position

Disclaimer Clause: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position